Watford need mentality change urges Claudio Ranieri following Norwich collapse
- Seb Sternik
- 22 January 2022
The Italian manager watched on in despair as his side fell to a 3-0 home drubbing against Norwich.
The result leaves Watford in the bottom three as Norwich leapfrogged their opponents into 17th place following back-to-back Premier League victories.
Josh Sargent was the star of the show as his second-half brace powered the Canaries towards their biggest win of the season.
Juraj Kucka scored a stoppage time own goal to hand the visitors all three points and condemn the hosts to their 14th league defeat.
Claudio Ranieri, who took the managerial position at Watford last October, was questioned about his future at the club.
The 70-year-old said: "No I don't go away, I want to continue because I am a fighter.
"I never give up in my career, this is a good team but they must change the mentality, some players have to follow (Moussa) Sissoko and (Tom) Cleverley, the two captains, this is my word."
Ranieri wasn't happy with the goalless first half and hoped for a reaction after the break. Instead, three Norwich goals and one red card for Emmanuel Dennis completed a miserable night for the Hornets.
The Italian added: "I asked the players to light their fire and the first half was so not good, not what I expect. And the second half, after the goal we disappear and maybe we played better with 10 than 11."
Watford return to action after the international break when they face Burnley in a must-win relegation showdown.
Ranieri is hoping his players can show heart and begin to play for the squad instead of themselves.
He added: "Now my goal is to pick up the players who pick up with heart, as Sissoko and Cleverley, players with heart, the right mentality Premier League is a tough league and only those who want to fight and play for the squad can continue in this way.
"The players don't play for me they play for the club, for the fans, for everybody, but the most important thing is they have to play for the squad - not in an individual way, not selfish. I don't want these kind of players."
